Don't Save Me

Chapter 25: Promise?

The night went smoothly. I never saw my uncle when he returned from work, going straight to bed. I breathed a sigh of relief, knowing the worst of the summer was over.

The next morning went as usual. My uncle brought me to the station and dropped me off without a word. As soon as he crossed the barrier leaving Platform 9 ¾ I quickly took off the long sleeve sweater I had been wearing and left the tank top underneath it. I boarded the train and immediately found Severus sitting in an empty compartment, his head resting against the window. I took a seat next to him and placed my hand on his arm. His body stiffened and I quickly removed my hand.

"I'm sorry, Sev... I didn't mean to- I-." I trailed off as Severus turned to face me, his body still stiff. His eyes met mine and his body relaxed as he placed a hand on my arm.

"Sorry, Y/n... I didn't know it was you," he said, smiling, as he gently rubbed my arm.

"Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," his gruff voice replied and I simply nodded, not knowing what to say.

"I'm sorry, Y/n... I guess I'm just a bit stressed. The OWLs are next year and the professors are really pushing us to prepare for them and to know what we want to do with our life," he replied, his eyes no longer meeting mine. I gently reached up, placing my hand underneath his chin and turning his face to meet mine. Once again, I felt his body stiffen at the touch but the minute his eyes met mine and he realized it was my hand, his body relaxed.

"I'm sorry, Severus."

"You have nothing to be sorry about, Y/n." I looked away, knowing I had everything to be sorry about. I was the reason my aunt had died and I was now keeping secrets from everyone I cared about. I told myself it was to protect those I cared about... but how long could I keep hiding? I was pulled from my thoughts as Severus brought his hand to my cheek, gently pulling my face toward him.

"Y/n? D-did I do something to make you feel bad? Did I-... Did I say something?" he asked, gently as he stroked my cheek with his thumb. I instantly felt guilty.

"No, Severus. It's nothing you did, I promise," I smiled, scooching my body closer to his. He lifted his arm, allowing me to rest my head on his body as he gently rubbed my head.

"Are you sure you're alright, Y/n?" his smooth voice asked me, as his hand moved from my head down to my arm, rubbing gentle circles into my skin.

"As long as you promise you are alright?"

"I promise."

"Then, so do I," I replied. Though we both knew the other was lying, we felt content enough to put it aside for now... to allow ourselves to simply exist in this moment... to be happy and free from the problems we had to go home to. We drifted off to sleep in our compartment, not even bothering to question why Lily hadn't joined us.

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